What's a collaborative, happy yet very rigorous research university that's not Rice?

[Anonymous]

UC Davis if the field is economics, polisci-public policy, animal sciences, life sciences, environmental sciences, or agricultural business.

[Anonymous]

DC is 1 month in at cornell and actually having a fantastic time. fell into a really nice group of kids so very much work hard, play hard. we were worried about the grinder reputation, but she worked hard in hs too, so transition has been ok. definitely collaborative among her friends.

maybe think about a visit and see what your DC thinks? i think for some kids, it's a great place with a lot to offer.

fwiw, DC also accepted at michigan, georgetown, cmu, emory, tufts, wash u. wl at rice, harvard, and hopkins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s difficult for us to understand why someone would reject a college solely because it’s in a certain state. Seems short sighted at best

Only a MAGA would not understand why someone would not want to be in Texas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the stats for any of the most selective schools but not focused on HYPMS due to unlikely odds. What are top schools that fit description but are more attainable like at U Chicago, Cornell level?

Already considering Rice but the Texas thing makes it not an ED choice.

I have a kid at Rice.

Really likes the positive atmosphere. And the residential college system. It's a smart school with friendly students. The internship opportunities have also been outstanding. And Houston is a very blue city. The downside has been the heat in September and May. But most of the academic year is very good, weather-wise.

You will not be meeting or engaging with right wing nutcases in Rice Village.

The other schools my Rice kid was interested in were MIT, Stanford, Princeton, McGill, UMD, USC, UC Boulder, Northwestern, Harvey Mudd, Penn, and Cornell.

But liked Rice more and applied ED and that was that.

I have a kid at Rice too. Agree that is a very welcoming place with very friendly, happy students. I wouldn't discount it just because of Texas, but that's just my $.02.

[Anonymous]

I’m just going to go slightly off track and suggest you consider Carleton. It ticks the collaborative, happy, rigorous, and blue state boxes. My STEM major DS had excellent research opportunities there as did many of his friends, and it has great Ph.D. program placement stats. But definitely it would depend on her area of research interest and if she is open to the SLAC environment.

I mention this bc a lot of his friends also applied to Rice and at least 2 had siblings there so I think there is a lot of crossover appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the stats for any of the most selective schools but not focused on HYPMS due to unlikely odds. What are top schools that fit description but are more attainable like at U Chicago, Cornell level?

Already considering Rice but the Texas thing makes it not an ED choice.

I have a kid at Rice.

Really likes the positive atmosphere. And the residential college system. It's a smart school with friendly students. The internship opportunities have also been outstanding. And Houston is a very blue city. The downside has been the heat in September and May. But most of the academic year is very good, weather-wise.

You will not be meeting or engaging with right wing nutcases in Rice Village.

The other schools my Rice kid was interested in were MIT, Stanford, Princeton, McGill, UMD, USC, UC Boulder, Northwestern, Harvey Mudd, Penn, and Cornell.

But liked Rice more and applied ED and that was that.

I have a kid at Rice too. Agree that is a very welcoming place with very friendly, happy students. I wouldn't discount it just because of Texas, but that's just my $.02.

Me too. Kid is loving it - awesome school. State level politics suck (currently) but people need to talk to each other. Be the change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has the stats for any of the most selective schools but not focused on HYPMS due to unlikely odds. What are top schools that fit description but are more attainable like at U Chicago, Cornell level?

Already considering Rice but the Texas thing makes it not an ED choice.

I have a kid at Rice.

Really likes the positive atmosphere. And the residential college system. It's a smart school with friendly students. The internship opportunities have also been outstanding. And Houston is a very blue city. The downside has been the heat in September and May. But most of the academic year is very good, weather-wise.

You will not be meeting or engaging with right wing nutcases in Rice Village.

The other schools my Rice kid was interested in were MIT, Stanford, Princeton, McGill, UMD, USC, UC Boulder, Northwestern, Harvey Mudd, Penn, and Cornell.

But liked Rice more and applied ED and that was that.

I have a kid at Rice too. Agree that is a very welcoming place with very friendly, happy students. I wouldn't discount it just because of Texas, but that's just my $.02.

Also Houston is a pretty blue bubble. That makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just going to go slightly off track and suggest you consider Carleton. It ticks the collaborative, happy, rigorous, and blue state boxes. My STEM major DS had excellent research opportunities there as did many of his friends, and it has great Ph.D. program placement stats. But definitely it would depend on her area of research interest and if she is open to the SLAC environment.

I mention this bc a lot of his friends also applied to Rice and at least 2 had siblings there so I think there is a lot of crossover appeal.

Had a "conversation with Carls" zoom meeting recently. Three young Carls hosting the meeting are intellectual, serious students. A little bit intimidating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s difficult for us to understand why someone would reject a college solely because it’s in a certain state. Seems short sighted at best

Only a MAGA would not understand why someone would not want to be in Texas!

No, more like a thinking person would not understand

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just going to go slightly off track and suggest you consider Carleton. It ticks the collaborative, happy, rigorous, and blue state boxes. My STEM major DS had excellent research opportunities there as did many of his friends, and it has great Ph.D. program placement stats. But definitely it would depend on her area of research interest and if she is open to the SLAC environment.

I mention this bc a lot of his friends also applied to Rice and at least 2 had siblings there so I think there is a lot of crossover appeal.

This is a good suggestion. One of my kids was deciding between Rice v. Carleton in RD. Chose Rice and had a great experience, but part of me was a bit wistful given that you can only get the SLAC experience for undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WashU is small for a University and very collaborative. But if TX is out, MO may be as well (although it’s across the river from IL). Nice kids who seem to enjoy being there. Might be worth a look.

Friendliest Students | The Princeton Review https://share.google/Pl8k2HJWDSJ0faroV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has the stats for any of the most selective schools but not focused on HYPMS due to unlikely odds. What are top schools that fit description but are more attainable like at U Chicago, Cornell level?

Already considering Rice but the Texas thing makes it not an ED choice.

Research in what specific area? That matters.

[Anonymous]

McGill is an interesting option.

Bowdoin and Williams felt academic and friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hopkins. student life has improved a lot with a ton of research opps.

columbia, penn also come to mind

I thought Hopkins was a grind, Columbia kids are miserable and Penn is pre-professional and competitive?

hopkins has ridiculous grade inflation now and students are a lot happier than decades ago

Penn and columbia outside of wharton and econ majors is very research focused especially for hard sciences

Mom of a Columbia Stem undergrad and DC is very happy and engaged in and out of the classroom. Also know similar kids to your description of yours who are very happy at Northwestern.
I'd recommend that she reach out via admissions at some schools of interest to be put in touch with current students in majors of interest. Better yet if kids from her high school are at some of these colleges ask your counselor to put her in touch. Hearing directly from kids at the schools is the best way to test what might fit her best.
As to likelihood, sounds like she has the stats to be in the real consideration bucket, that is all you can really hope for. In my opinion the "why us" and the why your major essays really matter. They want to see passion and curiosity in a way that is unique and connects the kid to the college. Talking with current students might really spark a particular love for one or a few schools for your daughter that will help make this all easier. Good luck!

OP: this is such a generous and thoughtful response. Thank you.

Many other excellent ideas here too and new info I wasn’t aware of before. Thanks everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re perfectly describing UChicago- people love it there.

Was this sarcasm?!